BBC Launches a New 'Doctor Who' Game; 'The Doctor and the Dalek' Tap to Help Kids Understand Computer Programming

BBC Launches a New 'Doctor Who' Game; 'The Doctor and the Dalek' Tap to Help Kids Understand Computer Programming

British Broadcasting Company (BBC) takes the "Doctor Who" into another level as it recently launched a game based on the sci-fi television program. The well-known time telling doctor is set to star in "The Doctor and Dalek" game which is made to to teach children a complicated lesson, coding, Engadget reported.

The broadcasting company has recently announced its motive to help kids learn computer programming easily, thus, it is set to release the Doctor Who-themed game which will make coding looks easy for children. The game will be having puzzles, "crafted to compliment English computer curriculum" that will introduce simple coding principles to children.

To be able to move to the next level, the player will need to solve the puzzle by relying on instruction combination, "changing variables, and working with repetition and loops." This action is similar to the task that computer programmers do while coding. Without them knowing, children will be learning the complicated computer science with "Doctor Who."

BBC, on its own website, said that the kids from six to 12 years old will be thrilled to solve the puzzle because they will be the hero of the game, as they play as "Doctor Who." As they finish one puzzle, they will get an achievement that can be used to replenish Dalek's strength. It can be recalled that the intelligent "Doctor and Dalek" are not really allies, but after a threat to the whole creation existed, the pair became partners.

According to the company's Interactive team head Jo Pearce, the "Doctor and the Dalek" game will serve as a good introduction to computer programming for kids and it's because it will be done in an entertaining approach. "The idea behind it is simply to use one of our biggest, most popular brands to inspire children to find out more about programming," Pearce said.

The producer of the Doctor Who-based game, Rich Jenkins, also cleared that the "Doctor and the Dalek" is not competing with the same games like "Scratch" and "Blockly," The Guardian reported. He said the aim of the game is to "demystify" computer programming to children. "We talked to teachers and kids, and they were looking for that step to demystify programming and not make it feel difficult," he said.

In order to assure the relevance and quality of the game, BBC tapped the geniuses of computer science in United Kingdom which includes, Dr. Tom Crick, Cardiff Metropolitan University senior lecturer in computer science and Rik Cross, Code of Club head of education.

"The Doctor and the Dalek" is set to be released today, October 22, and will be available for free at bbc.co.uk/cbbc. The computer programming game is playable in PC's only for now as BBC eyes launching a version of the game for tablets next year. The new Doctor Who-based game for kids is in line with BBC's Make It Digital project.

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